Page 13 - QARANC Spring 2024

The Gazette QARANC Association 13
challenging but Andrea rose to the occasion. Following three years in the Chief Nurse role as Ashford and St Peters, she is now the Regional Chief Nurse for the Southeast of England with oversight of all the NHS Trusts in the region.
So how did the role of Colonel Commandant come about? It was Andrea’s predecessor Col Carol Kefford who inspired her. “Carol was in a busy job too but encouraged me to apply as she said that I could bring my experience and skills from NHS, and connections, to this role. And she was right. In my day job I report to Chief Nursing Officer for England, I’m in those discussions where we’re talking about national policy that will affect the profession and patient safety, so invaluable in being able to bring this to the role and Corps”
Andrea hopes that being one of the QARANC’s two Colonels Commandant will allow her to give back to the Army and nursing, which she credits with creating so many life opportunities. “I had a fantastic time in the Army and left seven years ago on a high and with no regrets. My role with the QARANC Association feels like a homecoming. The key thing for me will be getting out and visiting the troops, going on the unit visits. The pandemic meant we couldn’t do this as much.”
Maintaining the connection between serving personnel, reserves and the veterans will be important as well. “I’m keen to reinvigorate what the Association means for us going forward. Even with the changes that are coming I would still say that. In the NHS, I don’t overtly say I am ex-army but when I do mention it everyone wants to know ‘what was is like, what did you do’ it’s always a talking point – and people are thankful for your service. That is something all our members can relate to and feel proud.”
Outside of work, Andrea is a wife and mum and still into fitness – “that ship hasn’t left me since leaving
With her daughter Sophie, after Andrea received her RRC at Buckingham Palace
the Army,” she exclaims – and she loves cooking too. She feels very blessed for having her two careers in the Army and the NHS. Would her late grandmother be pleased by how Andrea’s career turned out? “Imagine telling my grandmother that I’m the Chief Nurse for the Southeast of England, I think she would be blown away. Yes, I know she would be very proud.”
Andrea receiving RRC at Buckingham Palace from the then Prince Charles
I had a fantastic time in the Army and left seven years ago on a high and with no regrets
In Barrack dress as Platoon Commander
at ATR Lichfield, where Andrea met her husband who was a Platoon Commander also – Parachute Regiment